HUNDREDS of people turned out to celebrate the life of Kidderminster "champion" and much-loved former MP Dr Richard Taylor.
Those at the memorial service for Dr Richard Taylor MBE today (Saturday August 17) at St Mary and All Saints' Church in Kidderminster included childhood friend former BBC correspondent Martin Bell.
Mr Bell OBE described Dr Taylor, whom he had known since age 12, as "a champion of the people" whose election had "an effect far beyond Kidderminster, in Westminster."
The 85-year-old said: "He's your champion, he's the people's champion and we honour him here today."
Dr Taylor and the former war reporter, who stood as an anti-sleaze candidate in Tatton at the 1997 general election, both won seats as independents, and both had been at the Leys independent school in Cambridge together.
Retired hospital consultant Dr Taylor was elected as an independent MP for Wyre Forest in the 2001 general election with an incredible 17,630 majority and played an instrumental role in the campaign to restore services at Kidderminster Hospital after becoming "incredibly frustrated" at the cuts to the NHS.
The father-of-four, who moved to Kidderminster in 1972, was elected on the strength of local concern about the future of Kidderminster Hospital which he campaigned to save, particularly the A&E department which was ultimately downgraded.
Peter Picken of the League of Friends of Kidderminster Hospitals also spoke describing Dr Taylor as an "approachable, caring, gentle and genuine man."
He praised his "commitment and passion for patients."
The retired police superintendent said: "He had integrity and common sense and an understanding of the concerns of the community."
Dr Taylor's daughter Caroline Badger said the family had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love since his death aged 89 in June.
She said: "I don't think any of us knew the enormity of how many lives he touched."
Dr Taylor became a father for the last time aged 59 after meeting his second wife Chris in 1990.
Their daughter Georgie Taylor said: "He believed in equality and hope and with the right voice anyone can make a difference."
She said he was a collector of books, cigarette cards and Dinky toys and that in his last few years scrapbooks, in which he carried inspirational quotes, "became his life."
His grandsons described his "fascination at the world" and "infectious sense of wonder" which they said kept him young at heart.
Those gathered heard how Dr Taylor, who loved trees, birds and Lego, had a passion for sports cars and was still driving a Mazda MX-5 in his 80s.
Dr Taylor held onto his seat in the 2005 general election with a smaller majority of 5,250 but lost his seat to the Conservatives in 2010. He later stood in the 2015 general election aged 80.
The campaigner was also the life president of the Independent Community and Health Concern party and went on to co-found The National Health Action Party, which seeks to safeguard the NHS.
The grandfather-of-five was also president of Leukaemia Care for more than 15 years with Monica Izmajlowicz of the charity describing him as a "staunch advocate for leukaemia patients."
He was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2014 for his services to the community in Worcestershire, especially to Kidderminster Hospital.
Today's service followed a previously held private funeral.
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